In a crowded McDonald's parking lot in Denver, Colorado, a dispute over a minor car incident tragically escalated, ending the life of 17-year-old Steve Soledad-Lopez. On the night of November 24, 2017, the young man was fatally shot after an altercation with another driver. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner later confirmed that Soledad-Lopez died from gunshot wounds.
The shooter, identified as Francisco Gonzalez, then 22 years old, immediately fled the scene after the incident,
which occurred at the McDonald's located at West Alameda Avenue and South Federal Boulevard. The conflict began when Gonzalez accused Soledad-Lopez of hitting his car while maneuvering through the busy parking lot. In the ensuing argument, Gonzalez shot the teenage male and left him with fatal injuries. Soledad-Lopez was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators quickly identified Gonzalez as the suspect and discovered he was attempting to escape to California by bus. An arrest warrant was issued, and law enforcement tracked his movements. A few days later, on November 28, 2017, Gonzalez was apprehended in Las Vegas, Nevada, during a scheduled stop on his bus route. He was extradited back to Colorado to face charges for the death of Steve Soledad-Lopez.
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Francisco Gonzalez later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder in July 2018. In September of that year, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting. The case concluded with a conviction, bringing a measure of justice for the senseless act of violence that cut short a young life over a trivial parking lot dispute.
